The 2019 Sierra: GMC’s Four Best Features

According to Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global GMC, “The heritage of the GMC brand is rooted in full-size trucks, of which the Sierra is our cornerstone. The next generation Sierra caters to these unique customers who demand a premium, innovative truck that supports their professional and personal passions.” If you had to underline one word from Aldred’s statement, it should be innovation.

GMC has loaded the 2019 Sierra, which we discussed in an earlier post, with a ton of exciting new features. The new innovations meaningfully distance the Sierra from the Chevy Silverado (a problem in the past), but also from the rest of the full-sized pickup segment. There’s a lot to like about the next-generation of professional-grade pickup, I’ve picked out some of the best new features, and detailed them below.

MultiPro Tailgate

The MultiPro Tailgate is the most advanced tailgate in human history. It has six unique functions and a G.I. Joe Kung Fu Grip. I’m sorry. It’s hard not to be a little cynical about the new 2019 Sierra’s MultiPro tailgate. But, once you get past the skepticism, you’ll notice some impressive utility.

For example, the upper part of the tailgate can be independently lowered to reveal a standing workstation, a great convenience to those who have ever done detailed tasks or paperwork on a jobsite. The MultiPro tailgate also features a convenient cargo access position and extended load stops at two different heights. There’s even a sturdy, full-width step which can also serve as a seat. Some will dismiss the MultiPro Tailgate as a gimmick, but others will see how it can simplify the use of their truck.

CarbonPro Box

GMC will also be leading the industry by introducing the first carbon fibre box. General Motors has not been diplomatic in its criticism of Ford for using an aluminum alloy in the F-150’s bed. GM reasons that a pickup box is subjected to routine abuse and should be made of tough material. The 2019 Sierra features high-strength steel by default, but CarbonPro is an option on higher trims. It’s the strongest material in any pickup box and it’s also the most resistant to corrosion. Plus, it’s light.

Segment-First Multicolour HUD

A Head-Up Display (HUD) is a transparent display that shows information without requiring the viewer to look away from their usual sightlines. HUD are common in video games, airplanes, and “smart glasses”. In the automotive world, a HUD is information projected onto the base of the windshield. Some vehicles, like the Pontiac Grand Prix, had primitive HUD in the late eighties. But those units hardly compare to the Multicolour Head-Up Display in the new 2019 Sierra.

The 3×7-inch display is crisp and bright. It displays info like remaining fuel and current speed, but you can customise it to suit your needs. And, importantly, it’s not obtrusive or distracting and won’t impair your view of anything on the road.

Segment-First Rear Camera Mirror

On the theme of keeping your head up, the 2019 Sierra also gets the Rear Camera mirror. It performs as a regular rearview mirror, but also as a feed for the reverse camera when backing up. It was previously reserved for the Cadillac lineup where using the infotainment screen to display the backup camera feed is far too gauche. In all seriousness, the Rear Camera Mirror allows you to see what’s behind your truck without lowering your head so that you can still see what’s in front of you. It’s not an essential feature, but it’s a nifty add-on.